A printed fabric is so eye-catching…and when it’s paired with the right solid, the result is brilliantly graphic. This how-to book features 16 contemporary projects that show off the dynamic partnership of large-scale prints and vivid solids. With pages of fabulous ideas, essential information on integrating fabrics and a chapter on quiltmaking basics, The Modern Mix is a must-have addition to every quilter’s and sewer’s library. Author Jessica Levitt began quilting more than 20 years ago. She has a popular blog, juicy-bits.typepad.com, and she designs for Windham Fabrics.

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I was a fan of Jessica & her work from afar until she joined the Philadelphia Modern Quilt Guild. We quickly became friends and I was lucky enough to get to work with her last fabric line as it was being released for spring market. Once she revealed that she had completed a book I was SUPER excited for her & glad that I didn't have to keep it a secret for long!

I did a Q&A with Jessica so you could learn a bit more about her... and so I could get some answers I wanted to know!

Julie:If I came over to stay at your house what would I find recorded on your dvr?

Jessica:Oh goodness. A better question would be what you wouldn't find. I record a lot of TV. Some of my favs are Glee and Amazing Race (which I love to watch with the kids). And so far I'm digging Revenge and Pan Am. The only ones we keep and don't erase are Glee and So You Think You Can Dance (no Dancing with the Stars for me...).

Julie:We really do like a bunch of the same shows. Glee, Amazing Race, SYTYCD are also on my DVR.... but so is Dancing with the Stars!

Julie:You know I just moved... If you moved into a new house what is the first room you would want to decorate?

Jessica:This is actually a real possibility. We were looking at houses this past weekend. We want to stay in the area but our needs are a little different. But I don't relish the thought of moving. It sucks. And I know I would be living out of boxes for a long time. I would say it would be the kids' rooms I would decorate first. I have enough "stuff" that the living room wouldn't really get decorated per se, but just made to feel like ours. But, I like to go all out on the kids' rooms because they're small enough to be a do-able project. I know what room it wouldn't be: my bedroom. We've lived in this house over 6 years and I still haven't gotten farther than paint on the walls and furniture.

Julie:Wow I didn't know you were considering moving! I hope you find the perfect house.... but the kids rooms?? That wasn't the answer I was hoping for... as I don't have kids rooms to decorate. I secretly was hoping you'd tell me where to start with this house! PS- I do love it out here but I miss you Jess!! Please come visit & decorate my home. :-)

Julie:I love your new book... Is it possible for you to pick a favorite project?

Jessica:It's difficult for sure. I guess I would go with the cover quilt, called Pebble Road. It was really where it all began. It was the first project I made for the book. The idea actually came from the "pebble" quilting I wanted on the solid background. And then the stripe of vibrant circles was added to take it to another level. I'm really pleased with the color combination and thrilled that it's such an achievable King size quilt.
A close second is the Twin String Quilts. It's an traditional pattern but I love the monochromatic look with the pops of contrast. I love how tons of different prints in the same color family creates such a deep texture. And I really like the idea of two coordinating but not matching quilts on side-by-side twin beds.

Julie:I love the Twin String Quilts too. It is probably my favorite quilt pattern in the book. My favorite pattern overall is the Gradations Bag. In general I love making bags, but something about this bag just makes it feel special & I can't wait to make it!

So do you want to win a copy of Modern Mix??

The lovely folks @ Stash have offered a copy for me to giveaway.

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the rulesleave ONE comment to enter.

Answer the same question I asked Jessica.

You know I just moved... If you moved into a new house what is the first room you would want to decorate?

Please make sure your contact information is in your profile or that you leave it in your comment. If your contact information is set as "no-reply" you won't be able to win. Thanks!

I would have to decorate the living room first. We are in desperate need of new couches and I think moving to a new house would actually make us do it! Then I could make cute little throw pillows to put on it =D

I'm embarrassed to say that we moved into a new house three years ago and still haven't properly decorated (we're holding off due to a huge renovation which will hopefully come next year). The first room that I plan on decorating after the reno is the living room because it's where we spend the most time.

I think I need this book! are the awesome red pillows on the cover in the book too? love those!the first room I would decorate is my kitchen because I spend alot of time in there and it is often the hub of activity for our family.

Hi Julie, when we moved here 8 years ago the first two rooms we did were the kitchen and our bedroom. The kitchen because I needed that to be clean and the bedroom because it was somewhere lovely to go to at the end of a busy day decorating the rest of the house....and no, even after 8 years we still haven't done every room and the kitchen and bedroom have been done again!!

I would have to go with the family room first..my family spends so much time there...and since I work from home I use my recliner and a laptop desk for my work area. Such a cool book, would love to win! Lisa in Texas

The first room I would redo is a tie between the office (my husband has to study all the time for school so that's important) or the living room. A home feels like home to me once the living room is complete.

Great post! It would be my bedroom - it's the last thing you see at night and the first thing you see in the morning. I was in my house two days before I started painting the walls in my bedroom -it was awful!

The main living space (and the guest bath) would be first for me...it's the room that welcomes everyone into the house. The boys' rooms would be next since we would want them to feel as comfortable as possible in their new space. I figure I can always just shut my bedroom door ;) Good luck decorating your new home! Smiles~Beth P.S. it's great to have you back!!

I would definitely decorate the living room first. It is the room the family and friends spend most of the time in and I would need to have it just right. Speaking of which, it is the only room in my current house that is decorated to my liking. :)

Definitely the first room I would want set up is my quilting room. I think the first room I would decorate is the dining room. I have lived in my house for 5 years and the dining room is horrible. All the other rooms desperately needed to be done first, so it got left to the end. I think we are going to do it this fall.

I'd love to win a copy. We move often and I usually decorate my daughters' room first. We have lots of fun art from friends and family for them so it is always the funnest and most whimsical room. Plus it helps them transition faster to the new environment.

The first room to set up must be the one you spend the most time in - different for everyone. I would create my leisure space first, while chomping at the bit to establish my sewing room. DH must be established before I can run off and play in my room - makes us both happy. Love these blog reviews and thank you for the opportunity to win. Judy C

I'd start in the room you spend the most time in. It's your home, start with the room that speaks to you the most. Whether that's the kitchen/living room/bedroom or sewing room. ;) Make that room comfortable and work from there.

I would decorate the family room first. In most modern homes that and the kitchen are where people spend the most time! And since they are often one big open space you get double bang for your buck....and time and energy!

First off, Julie, I just want to say I am soooo excited to have you back..I have missed your blogging. I too have just moved so I completely understand the transitional period. I had no internet for 6 weeks! OUCH!

The first room I decorated..my sewing room! I am happy!

Have fun in your new adventure. Your home from what you have shown looks absolutely beautiful!

We are about to move, and I have big plans for my sewing room. I've never had the privilege of having my own space just for sewing, where I can close the door and keep the kids from piling junk on my sewing table :) so it's going to be the most complete decorating project. I also have paint for our bedroom, but no huge plans for that yet. (Ooh, and I love that bag!)

This book looks great! I am in the process of purchasing a home right now! It has been a long process, over a year, and may be a little bit longer. I am excited to decorate the entire house and have colors picked out for certain rooms. I think I will start with the kitchen. I want a red cherries theme!

The bedroom. Last time we moved it was the first room to actually be all assembled and put together as we had to wait for our new sofa for quite a long time. We basically lived in it and it was good to have this comfort space be all ours whilst the rest was still in boxes/waiting to be be finished. :)

I would do the kitchen/dining area first. Why? Because you have to eat, and you have to be organized to cook and as long as you are organizing a room, you may as well decorate it. And an eating area is essential since most people don't like to eat standing up holding their plates. :)

It would probably be a kitchen if it's a big one (I live in London, space is scarce) if not then it would have to be living room which would double as my sewing area too. It would be any space that we are likely to spend most of the time. dzelzyte (at) yahoo (dot) com

I would probably go with the living room first! I say "probably" but I really mean "definitely" because I move pretty often and this is usually how I start off! I like to get the public areas of my home in order first so that people can come over and have something to sit on other than boxes :)

I would decorate the master bedroom first because it is the room I have the clearest vision for - other rooms of the house are in flux and I am still nailing down exactly how i want them to look. ~ Karen H

The living room -- I'm not one much for keeping up appearances, but its nice to have a place for guests to feel comfortable. That said, I should probably finish decorating my living room. We moved in 2 1/2 years ago!

Oh, I must get a copy of this book! I love the pics you've shared. I would decorate the family room first because it's where we spend most of our time. Thanks for the giveaway! Please, please, please pick me! :)

I would decorate my bedroom. We have lived in our house for a long time and our room still look horrible! I don't do much there except sleep and get dressed, but still the color is life-sucking beige. Did I mention that it was horrible? I want to just take everything out, toss most of it, repaint, get new fresh furniture, new blinds or shades or something and have it look gorgeous and restful. I need help!

I would decorate the kitchen first as it is one of the rooms that I spend the most time (and for practicality reasons)...but a second choice would probably be my living room as I spend time crafting (sewing, card making etc) and watching TV there. Thanks for the giveaway.

I moved not too long ago and the first room I decorated was the living room. It's the first thing that is seen when people come in, and it's nice to have it look like a welcoming home. (Even if the rest of the house is a disaster)

Jessica's book looks delectable. The first room that I like to decorate when I move is the dining room because this is where I like to hang out the most. Drinking coffee and chatting or reading the newspaper.

After making sure the kitchen and bathroom are functional, I would jump in and decorate the living room. Concentrate on the part of the room that makes me feel good (for me it is an easy chair with a good view of the TV and a table / lamp beside it so can handsew). After that, I decorate for company.Have fun - it doesn't have to be done all at once. Thanks for the giveaway.

Well, that is hard to answer, the living room would make sense since it's usually where I do most of my living but since my quilting studio is currently half my house I'm going to have to say my studio just for the sanity of it!

we just moved last summer, so i very clearly remember asking myself this question. because i have three kids (5, 3, and 2 months at the time), i wanted a functional kitchen. so i unpacked that first. but once i unpacked, i wanted my family room to look presentable. so that's the first room i'd decorate and fully furnish. of course, i give that advice and yet 15 months after moving in, our family room still needs some personality! thanks for the chance to win this awesome book.

When I moved out of my ex's place into my own with barely anything, that was the space that frustrated me the most, due to barely having a stick of furniture to go in it, or anything else to personalize the space.

While the kitchen is certainly often the heart of every home, the living room is often the center. And it's nice to have a place that you can come together with others, and sit and talk or watch some TV and such.

wow that is a beautiful bag and fun apron! We just moved into our dream home we built (even designed with an architect) a year ago and the first room was our living/dining room to decorate and that's what it would be in the next house too. it's where we spend the majority of our time. thanks for the chance to win!

If I were to move I would decorate my room first because I would need a place to retreat to that was completely done- and most bedrooms are a reasonable size to do quickly. I'd love a copy of this book.

After living in our home for two years now I still have not decorated our home. I just can not casue I want to tear out the walls and replace them and alot of other things in this house too. But the rooms we set up first were the kids rooms, then our room and finally the kitchen. Living room still looks like a frat house. :(

I moved into my house 19 years ago. It had the original 1940 bathroom - peach/cranberry tile everywhere. Tub was oh, so, pitted and ugly. I remodeled all the other rooms and finally...three years ago, gutted the bathroom. Love it. I'm sorry I didn't do it first.

I am living this now. A month in house with no furniture. Only 12 more days and then boxes will be everywhere. I can't wait to get family room ready for us to relax and enjoy! Thank goodness for my little sewing machine to help with sanity. My sewing room would be next!

I've moved 5 times in 12 years (finally in a house I want to stay in!), and the first room I decorate is always my home office. I'm self-employed and that's where I spend the most time. Having a pleasant workspace is so important!

We have been in our new apartment in So.Cal. for about 6 weeks and I want to update the living area, tiny though it may be. We are lucky in that there was a red accent wall already here, since we can't paint ourselves.

Definitely the living room - that is where we spend the most time. I'm kind of hypocritical in saying that, though, because we moved back in April and our living room is not NEARLY where I want it to be. But I think it's good to live in a place for a bit before making more purchases so you don't regret them later and can't return them. Thanks for the chance to win!

Hmmm. I hate moving because I have too much crap. First, I would try to get rid of all that stuff I don't need. THen I would probably go after the family room/living room, which is where I relax and talk to people. I would put several quilts in it, none of which are considered crap.

I would decorate the tv/living room first. That's usually where I spend the most time, either sewing, watching movies, or playing board games. I collect artwork from every place I travel to, so I have lots to play around with :)

It would depend on what needed it most - in our current house we had to do our room first as it was wallpaper that had been painted an awful pale pink with a frieze of pink roses - I couldn't sleep in it! But if it were just choosing for the sheer pleasure of it then the living room would be first, we spend a lot of time there.

Ahhh... well for me it would be the kitchen/dining room... we spend alot of time there (I'm not a big fan of TV)... I do my sewing there, cook, hang out.... The projects in the book are beautiful... thanks for sharing.

We moved into our new home 2 months ago after almost 30 years in our 'old' house. The first room I decorated was our bedroom. The furniture in that room is a 'given' - bed, chests of drawers and we now have a walk in closet. So, the bed got a new duvet cover, bought new pillows, and we bought new nightstands and the rest I figured out from what we already owned eg: pictures for the walls. I kept it really simple but I did totally organized the walk in closet and told my dh that he can no longer store shotguns and rifles under our bed!

for me, the sleeping room is most important since I don't spend a lot of my time at home... I basically work, get back home to take a shower and get some sleep and then I'm off to work again... so: the bedroom.

That pebbling on the cover quilt makes my heart race. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to do some pebbling but it always looks like a 2 year old did it! The bag is amazing too. I like that it is quite wide but not too deep. Anyway, the question. I would decorate the living room first as it is the most used room in my house, especially if the TV is in it! Thanks for the opportunity to win this beautiful book.

We moved 4 years ago after living in the same home for 33 years. I was traumatized by the building experience so it took me awhile to decorate my first room which was the living room that also adjoins the dining room and the kitchen. My daughter recently quilted me a beautiful quilt for the couch and it brought the entire room together.

When the hubs and I bought our first home 2 years ago, the first room we decorated was the living room. It's the heart of the house. We decided to do all the family rooms first before starting on bedrooms and bathrooms. In 2 years, we have completed the living room, kitchen, dining, and just finished the guest room. Now we're too tired of decorating to fool with the rest. :) My sewing room was a big one for me. It has yet to be painted, but I have shelving, thread racks, and my design wall up, so there isn't much "builder's flat beige" showing through, so I can live with it.

Bathroom, hands down. why? It's a smal space, so little changes, and projects can have big impacts. But mostly, because that's where I start and endy my day - If it's a place I enjoy to look at, I feel like the day starts and ends on a better foot. Good luck with all of the unpacking

What a beautiful book! I'd love to win it =)I'll be moving in a few days and the first room I'll decorate will be the living room. So the largest room will already be done and the smaller rooms are done more quickly.

I would decorate my living room first so we can rest and feel comfortable during the settling in period. Kitchen has always been "my spot" in the house, though. I would give myself more time to decorate my kitchen as I already have many plans for my "dream kitchen" :)

I'd say the family room. I have so many fun collections and quilts to show off that I rotate the look every season. How fun to have a new room and an excuse to buy more collections and make more quilts.

I would decorate the Living Room first, as it is a room we all share, and spend a lot of time in, also if someone were to come over, they would be seeing this room and I wouldn't want it to look poorly.

The bedroom so I would have sanctuary from the mess. Plus, it's like cleaning, I always start in the places that no one sees, so it forces me to finish where company might see. Glad to see you back Julie.

Hard to say because I have to live in the house before I get a feel for how it would be decorated. I guess it would be the family room. It's the most used room in the house so I would get a feel for how i want to decorate it fast. Master bedroom is always last!

My first room would have to be my bedroom followed closely by the kitchen since these are the most rooms are both a necessity. I am so glad you are back on and enjoy your new home. And would love to have this book. Thanks.

Well, I moved recently (in with my fiancee), and the room I first decorated was, of course, "my room"! We took everything out of the guest room, and I repainted everything, removed the sliding closet doors, and set it up as guest room/sewing studio/wonderful escape place! It's still in need of a few things (aka picture hanging), and I'm about to completely redo how I store my fabric, but it's great to have the place where you want to relax in great shape! Thanks for the chance to win this book - I'm a huge fan of both of your design aesthetics! Dance Party and Kingdom = awesome!

Ohhhh, if it were only me it would be my sewing studio, but with a fantastic husband I would do the living room first. It's where we spend so much time together,(which is, actually, desperate for help! lol). I LOVE the Pebble Road quilt and that great bag!Thanks for the opportunity to win this great book!

I would decorate the kitchen first. It is a gathering place in our home - the first room we enter when we come home, the last room we leave when we go out, and the room where so many conversations take place over the preparation and eating of meals, dishes, opening mail, recycling, doing homework, and so on. In fact, I've painted my kitchen 3 times in the 7.5 years I've lived in my house. It is important for my kitchen to be homey and comfortable. Good luck decorating! We want to see photos, you know!